Professional Cooking Appliances

Choosing your cooking appliances – it’s something you should do early in your remodeling process, since those decisions can affect many other elements within your remodel. But how do you choose? It’s not all black and white (or stainless, or red, or built-in…). Putting color decisions aside (that’s the easy part), you’ll have to think through your expectations when it comes to the size and power you’ll need - and of course the budget you’re willing to put toward it.

Kitchen cooking appliances have come a long way in recent decades - and now you can get anything from space saving appliances, to standard or commercial-style professional appliances. So, who are they for – and what’s the difference?

Who chooses professional appliances?

Anyone who considers his or herself to be an avid cook could benefit from choosing professional cooking appliances. The same goes for those who just want more functional cooking space - and for those who seek to incorporate a more commercial-style look into their room (who also have the budget to do so). With a wider range of options than ever before, professional cooktops, ovens and ventilation systems have something to offer everyone.

What do I get with professional cooking appliances?

Professional cooking appliances not only look impressive, they are built to perform.

Ranges: Standard residential ranges are 30 inches wide, whereas professional ranges can be anywhere from 30” to 48” or even 60.” Although, they tend to come with higher price tags, you’ll find they also provide more design options and functionality – (think sealed burners, continuous cast-iron grates, and special simmer modes). Professional gas ranges can have upwards of 20,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), whereas most standard ranges generally offer 5,000-9,500 BTUs.

Ovens: When it comes to professional ovens, you’ll find more options across the board when compared to standard ovens – more space, more racks, higher performance cooking modes (including convection, which distributes heat more evenly, and heavy duty broiling options), more lighting and visibility, easier cleanup and additional accessories (such as a built-in microwave). Options abound as much as budget allows! You can choose a professional oven that comes with the range, or you can choose a separate wall oven (or ovens, plural) if that suits your space better.

Ventilation: Make sure you pair your stove and oven with the proper ventilation system to keep your kitchen clean and safe. We have many options ranging from 30” to 60.” If you choose a professional stovetop and oven, you’ll want to choose a range that can keep up. Generally, for every 10,000 BTU your gas stove puts off, you should have at least 100 CFMs (cubic feet per minute). Also, take into consideration the width of your appliance as a guideline – You should have at least 100 CFMs per linear foot of a range against the wall, or 150CFMs per linear foot is on an island.

If you have any questions regarding cooking appliances (or any appliances), our Consumers Appliances team will help you select new cooking appliances at any budget. If you’re not ready to check out the products in our showroom just yet, you can get an idea of some of what we offer by viewing the virtual tour and cooking product pages. We offer a large variety of options and brands, so there truly is something for everyone.